Foodbuzz asked their bloggers to create a banana split to benefit Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Foodbuzz asked for a ultimate banana split and I had this idea in the back burner for awhile. Ever since I laid eyes on Michael Richard from Central in Washington D.C. banana split's version I was yearning...
My Ultimate Banana Split verges off to a different direction with bananas fried in rice flour with a hint of rum extract served with caramel and chocolate sauce; ice cream flavors include taro, mango and green tea. I like to accommodate the split with a raw cashew inside a lychee nut. The nuttiness from the cashew and summery sweetness from the lychee is a rarely thought combination but quite luminous.
I like to use rice flour when I fry more delicate foods like banana, shrimp, vegetables, apples. It creates a thinner crunchier crust. I use all purpose flour for the more substantial items like fried chicken or a whole fish.
The key to making a light batter is to mix enough ice cold water into the rice flour to create a consistency like paint thinner. The batter coats the food translucently and your dishes will always come out crispy and light. Keep the batter in the refrigerator to keep it cold, just stir before using.
Rum Flavored Fried Bananas
Serves 4
4 Bananas
1 Cup Rice Flour
1 to 1 1/4 Cup of ice cold water
1 teaspoon rum extract
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Vegetable Oil to fry
Carmel Sauce to serve
Chocolate Sauce to serve
Lychee with raw cashew to serve
Peel and cut the ends off each side of the banana, and cut each banana into 3 pieces. Mix the water, rice flour and rum extract. Start with 1 Cup of ice water and slowly add more water to desired consistency. Keep cold.
Fill a pot halfway full with oil and heat to 350 degrees and fry each banana until golden color, 5-8 minutes. Drain and dust with powdered sugar, serve immediately.
Prepping the Plates
I like Godiva's caramel sauce but not a fan of any bottled chocolate sauce. I take my favorite chocolate bar, (I use the bulk Valrhona selection from Whole Foods) and melt the chocolate in the microwave in 15 second intervals, mixing each time. I put the melted chocolate into a ziplock bag, snip the corner and pipe the lines. I would prep the plates before frying the bananas.
Spread caramel onto plate and draw a zigzag with chocolate (it is okay if it's not perfect the end result will mask it.) Use a tooth pick or fork and drag the chocolate to your right, alternate directions. Viola!
I know fresh lychee is hard to find but it is plentiful in San Francisco during the summer. Use canned lychee nuts when fresh is not available, drain the fruit well. I stuff a raw cashew into a lychee for a light snack and it is beautiful married with the banana split. I prefer raw cashew over baked because it feels less oily to the mouth and would over power the delicate lychee.
My family's favorite is Mitchell's Ice Cream from San Francisco which makes a varities of flavors. Other flavors I like to alternate are baby coconut, jackfruit, thai ice tea, ginger, lychee and plain ole vanilla.
On Monday July 19, 2010 Foodbuzz's Top 9 will only feature banana splits. "Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are proud to support the whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for Ovarian Cancer." Visit their website to virtually create your own ultimate banana split and help raise money for the cause.
Raw Cashews with Lychee Nuts
I know fresh lychee is hard to find but it is plentiful in San Francisco during the summer. Use canned lychee nuts when fresh is not available, drain the fruit well. I stuff a raw cashew into a lychee for a light snack and it is beautiful married with the banana split. I prefer raw cashew over baked because it feels less oily to the mouth and would over power the delicate lychee.
Ice Cream
My family's favorite is Mitchell's Ice Cream from San Francisco which makes a varities of flavors. Other flavors I like to alternate are baby coconut, jackfruit, thai ice tea, ginger, lychee and plain ole vanilla.
On Monday July 19, 2010 Foodbuzz's Top 9 will only feature banana splits. "Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are proud to support the whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for Ovarian Cancer." Visit their website to virtually create your own ultimate banana split and help raise money for the cause.
There is a kumquat tree in the garden. We brine the kumquats, mashed it with a fork, mix with sugar, and water or mineral water.
2 comments:
Your submission for OCRF is beautiful!
You are so creative :)
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